Carton with easy to open pour spout

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a carton including pour spout provisions defined by a first exterior pour spout defining panel and a second aligned interior pour spout defining panel. The first panel includes an inwardly depressible starting portion and an outwardly extensible gripping portion and the second panel includes a central portion affixed to the exterior first panel and pour spout sidewall forming portions hingedly connected with the central portion. Means located inwardly with respect to the exterior first panel blocks inward movement of the gripping portion to provide outward extension thereof upon depression of the starting portion.

a United States Patent i 1 3,568,910

[ 72] Inventor Don J. McConnell 2,019,943 11/1935 Venning et a1 229/ 171 Paramount, Calif. 3,085,733 4/1963 Umanoff 229/ 17 [21] Appl. No.773,226 3,184,137 5/1965 Mohler 229/17 g i Z Primary Examiner Davis T.Moorhead [73] Assignee Continental Can Company, Inc. Attorney-Dale!"Brown Ramlk & Holt New York, N.Y.

[54] CARTON WITH EASY To OPEN POUR SPOUT ABSTRACT: This disclosurerelates to a carton including 13 Claims 10 Drawing Figs. pour spoutprovisions defined by a first exterior pour spout defining panel and asecond aligned interior pour spout defin [52] U.S.Cl. 229/17 ing paneLThe fi Pane] includes an inwardly depressible [51] 'f 365d 5/72 startingportion and an outwardly extensible gripping portion Fleld of Search andthe second panel includes a central portion affixed to the exteriorfirst panel and pour spout sidewall forming portions [56] ReferencesCited hingedly connected with the central portion. Means located UNITEDSTATES PATENTS inwardly with respect to the exterior first panel blocksinward 1,539,985 6/1925 Allen 229/ 17 movement of the gripping portionto provide outward exten- 1,907,939 5/1933 Venning et al 229/17 sionthereof upon depression of the starting portion.

PATENTED MAR 919m SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTOR DOM J. MCCONNELL A ORNEYSPATENTED MAR 9197:

SHEET 2 BF 2 DON J; MICCUNNELL CARTON WITH EASY TO OPEN POUR SPOUTPreviously, cartons have been provided including pour spout provisionsmovable to effect opening of the carton. However, such previously knowncartons have often been characterized by the need for separate pourspout provisions formed from other than the material of the cartonitself and have commonly been characterized by difficulty in the openingof the carton resulting from the proximity of the pour spout provisionsand the carton wall to which such provisions have been secured.

In accordance with the foregoing, it is a primary object of thisinvention to provide a carton or carton blank having pour spout definingprovisions characterized by the ease of gripping thereof for employmentby the user.

Additionally, it is an object of this invention to provide in a cartonor carton blank pour spout provisions defined by the material of theblank and easily movable out of the plane of the carton wall in whichthey are formed to effectopening of the carton.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide pour spout provisionsin a carton of carton blank including a first partially removable panelhaving starting and gripping portions and interiorly located meansblocking inward movement of the gripping portion to effect outwardextension thereof upon depression of the starting portion.

It is a further object of this invention to provide pour spoutprovisions in a. carton or carton blank including first and second pourspout defining opening panels to be aligned and joined, the second ofthe pour spout defining panels including pour spout sidewall definingmeans pivotable with respect to a central portion of the second panelupon opening of the carton.

With these and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, thenature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference tothe following detailed description. the appended claimed subject matter,and the several views appearing in the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG 1 is a top plan view of a carton blank in accordancewith this invention and illustrates a pairof terminal panels adjacenttransverse edge portions of the blank which are adapted to be broughtinto overlying relationship, the terminal panels including first andsecond pour spout defining panels formed therefrom to be partiallyadhesively joined.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the carton blank ofFIG. 1, and illustrates the disposition of the exterior one of the pourspout defining panels having a depressible starting end portion and anoutwardly extensible gripping end portion.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line3-3 of FIG. 2 shows the interior one of the pour spout defining panelshaving pour spout sidewall defining portions hingedly connected to acentral portion thereof.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line4-4 of FIG. 2 and illustrates the alignment of the interior and exteriorpour spout defining panels.

FIG 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the carton of FIG 2and illustrates the manner in which the carton is opened by inwarddepression of the starting portion of the exterior pour spoutdefiningpanel with resultant outward extension of the gripping portion of the.exterior pour spout defining panel.

FIg. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG.5 and shows the engagement of an interior terminal panel blockingportion and outwardly extensible gripping portion of the exterior pourspout defining panel.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the carton of FIG.2 and illustrates outward withdrawal of the entire pour spout definingprovisions, providing the production panel- FIG. 8 is a fragmentarysectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 with the carton intilted or use position and shows the relation of the pour spout definingprovisions with a quantity of enclosed pulverant fill.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a further carton embodimentand illustrates an alternative interior pour spout defining panelconfiguration assuring complete closure of the carton following use.FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 9and illustrates the pour spout defining provisions of FIG. 9 positionedfor use in the dispensing of an enclosed product.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a novel carton blank in accordancewith this invention is designated generally by the numeral 15 in FIG. 1and is defined by a pair of longitudinal edges 16, 17 and a pair oftransverse edges 18, 19. The carton blank 15 is preferably paperboard orsimilar material benda: ble to allow folding into a usable carton and ofsufficient structural rigidity to maintain the shape of the formedcarton. A

A plurality of transverse fold lines 21-24 and longitudinal fold lines25 and 26 cooperate to define a plurality of wall portions or panels27-31 and a plurality of conventional closure flaps 33-40. The closureflaps 34 and 38 are provided with a plurality of score lines 42providing a gripping surface for an adhesive A applied thereto andemployed in the joining of the closure flaps 34, 36 and 38, 40 in.conventional fashion. Similarly, a terminal panel 31 is provided with aplurality of score lines 43 providing a gripping surface for adhesive Aapplied thereto and employed in the joining of the terminal panel 31witha remaining ten ninal panel '27.

A first pour spout forming or defining panel generally referenced by thenumeral 44 is defined in the terminal panel 27 by an inverted U-shapedout line 45 and a fold line 46 bridging the arms of the out line 45. Afold line 47 divides the first pour spout defining panel 44 into astarting end portion 48 adjacent the fold line 46 and a gripping endportion 50 adjacent the bight of the inverted U-shaped cut line 45. a

The remaining terminal panel 31 includes a second pour spout forming ordefining panel generally referenced by the numeral 51, positioned foralignment with the pour spout forming panel 44 upon joinder of the twoterminal panels 27 and 31 during carton formation. The second pour spoutforming panel 51 is defined by a generally inverted U-shaped cut line 52and includes a central portion 53 joined at each side by pour spoutsidewall forming portions 54 and 55 defined; respectively, by perforatedfold lines 56 and 57. The sidewall forming portions 54 and 55 terminatein extensions 58 and 59 adjacent a fold line 61 connecting the centralportion 53 of the second pour spout forming panel 51 with the terminalpanel 31.

The adhesive A applied to the terminal panel 31 is provided also uponthe central portion 53 of the panel 51 whereas an area B of the terminalpanel 31 is maintained free of adhesive, preferably by the applicationof a quantity of varnish V thereto. The adhesive-free area B includesthe two pour spout sidewall forming portions 54 and 55 and extendsupwardly from the second pour spout forming panel 51 for alignment withthe gripping end portion 50 to the first-mentioned pour spout formingpanel 44, maintaining the gripping portion 50 of the pour spout formingpanel 44 free of adhesion with the terminal panel 31 upon overlapping ofthe terminal panels 27 and 31 during container formation.

The blank 15 is set up to for a carton 65 (FIG. 2-8) b securing theinner surface of the closure flap 40 upon the adhesively coated surfaceof the closure flap 38 and with the closure flaps 37 and 39 extendinginwardly to the interior of the carton 65. A pair of closure flap endpanels 66 may be provided at each end of the adhesively coated flap 38for joinder with the exterior surfaces of the terminal panels 27 and 29.Similarly, the interior surface of the closure flap 36 is joined withthe adhesively coated surface of the closure flap 34 with the endclosure flaps or tabs 33 and 35 extending into the interior of thecarton 65.

The interior surfaceofthe terminal panel 27 is joined with theadhesively coated surface area of the terminal panel 31 in overlappingfashion to define a sidewall 67 of the carton 65. As will be bestunderstood from FIGS. 3 and 4, the second pour spout defining panel 51provided in the terminal panel 31 has the central portion 53 thereofadhesively secured to the interior surface of the starting end portion48 of the exterior pour spout forming panel 44 provided in the terminalpanel 27. Through the provision of the adhesive-free area B, thesidewall forming panel portions 54 and 55 of the second or in teriorpour spout defining panel remain free of adhesion to the interiorsurface of the terminal panel 27 and the gripping end portion 50 of theexterior pour spout panel 54 remains free of adhesion with the interiorterminal panel 31.

When dispensing of a product from the interior of the carton 65 isdesired, the starting portion 48 of the exterior pour spout panel 44 isdepressed inwardly as best illustrated in FIGS. and 6. The nonadhesivearea of the interior terminal panel 3] underlying the gripping portion50 defines blocking means 68, preventing inward movement of the grippingportion 50 adjacent thereto and providing pivotal outward extension ofthe gripping portion 50 in the direction indicated by the unnumberedarrow in FIG. 6. Outward extension of the gripping portion 50 allowseasy engagement thereof by the user for outward pivoting of the combinedpour spout provisions along the fold lines 46 and 61 to the positionbest illustrated in FIG. 7.

As the combined pour spout provisions are pivoted outwardly with respectto the carton 65, a' dispensing opening 70 is defined in the wall 67.Opening edge portions 71 and 72 defined by the arm portions of the cutline 45 and located adjacent the two pour spout sidewall definingportions 54 and 55 provide blocking means effecting pivotal movement ofthe sidewall defining portions 54 and 55 out of the plane of the centralportion 53 of the interior pour spout panel 44. The spout thus assumes achannel shape facilitating flow of the enclosed fill in dispensingthereof.

FIG. 8 illustrates the disposition of the pour spout provisions with thecarton 65 in tilted or use position with a quantity of pulverant fill 73passing between the sidewall portions 54 and 55 in the direction of theunnumbered arrow shown in that FIG. It will be noted that the endportions 58 and 59 of the sidewall portions 54 and 55 extend inwardlyinto the carton 65, channelling the fill to the central portion 53 ofthe pour spout and between the upstanding sidewall portions 54 and 55and preventing locking of sidewall portions 54 and 55 on the exteriorsurface of the panel 27.

In FIGS. 9 and there is illustrated an alternative arrangement of thepour spout provisions described hereinabove. An alternative pour spoutarrangement generally indicated by the numeral 75 includes an exteriorpour spout forming panel 76 similar in details to the exterior panel 51discussed hereinabove with respect to FIGS. l-8. An interior pour spoutdefining panel 77, like the hereinabove described interior panel 51includes the central portion 53, adhesively affixed to the interiorsurface of the starting portion 48 of the interior pour spout definingpanel 76. Again, the central portion 53 is joined on each side bysidewall defining portions 54 and 55. The interior spout defining panel77, however, includes a further terminal portion 78, joining the centralportion 53 at a fold line 80. The terminal portion 78 of the interiorpanel 77 is provided by a further inverted U-shaped extension 79 of thecut line 52 defining the interior spout forming panel 77.

An area 81 of the inner terminal panel 31 adjacent the extended cut line79 is provided in alignment with the gripping portion 50 of the exteriorpour spout forming panel 77 to provide blocking means engageable withthe gripping portion 50 upon inward depression of the starting portion48 of the exterior spout forming panel 76, providing blocking of inwardmovement of the gripping portion 50 and outward extension thereof in themanner discussed hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The terminal portion 78 of the inner spout forming panel 77 isadhesively affixed to the gripping portion 50 of the exterior spoutforming panel 76 and includes edge portions 82 defined by the extendedcut line 79. The edge portions 82 are engageable in frictional contactwith the edge portions 83 defined in the interior terminal panel 81 bythe cut line 79 for facilitating complete closing of the spoutprovisions 75 after the dispensing of a portion of the enclosed fill. Itshould be noted that the edge portions 82 through their close proximitywith the central area of the gripping portion 50 are less subject tofraying and wear by repeated operations than are the edge portions ofthe exterior spout forming panel 76. Thus, continued adequate reclosureof the carton 65 is assured through continued good frictional engagementof the edge portions 82 and 83 maintaining the spout provisions 77 intheir initial position even following numerous employments thereof.

While the structures shown and described hereinabove represent preferredforms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to one skilled inthe art that variations may be made in the structures set forth withoutdeparture from the scope and spirit of the invention embodied herein.

I claim:

1. A carton having overlapping exterior and interior joined walldefining panels, an exterior pour spout forming panel pivotallyconnected with said exterior wall defining panel, said exterior pourspout forming panel including inwardly depressible starting means forinitiating opening of the carton and outwardly extensible gripping meansfor gripping in opening of the canon, and said interior wall definingpanel including dispensing opening means aligned with said pour spoutforming panel and blocking means adjacent said opening means forblocking inward movement of said extensible gripping means and providingoutward movement of said gripping means upon depression of said startingmeans.

2. The carton according to claim 1 further including an interior spoutforming panel pivotally connected to said interior wall defining panelat least partially affixed to said exterior spout fonning panel andincluding means for forming spout sidewalls upon outward pivotalmovement of said interior and exterior spout forming panels.

3. The carton according to claim 2 wherein said means for formingsidewalls includes first and second side portions of said interior spoutforming panel pivotally connected to a central portion thereof, saidexterior wall defining panel including means aligned and engageable withsaid first and second side portions for providing pivotal movementthereof with respect to said central portion.

4. The carton according to claim 1 further including an interior panelportion affixed to said exterior spout forming panel and defining meansengageable with said interior wall defining panel for maintaining saidexterior spout forming panel closely proximate said interior walldefining panel upon reclosing of said carton.

5. A carton having overlapping exterior and interior joined walldefining panels, an exterior pour spout forming panel defined in saidexterior wall defining panel by a first cut line terminating at each endthereof proximate a first fold line, said exterior pour spout deformingpanel including a depressible starting portion adjacent said first foldline and an outwardly extensible gripping portion spaced from said firstfold line, an interior pour spout forming panel defined in said interiorwall defining panel by a second cut line terminating at each end thereofadjacent a second fold line, said interior spout forming panel being inalignment with said exterior spout forming panel for outward pivotalmovement therewith, at least one portion of said second out line beingremoved from said first out line toward the center of said grippingportion and defining a portion of said interior wall defining paneladjacent said gripping portion for engagement with said gripping portionto provide blocking of inward movement of said gripping portion and toprovide outward extension of said gripping portion upon inwarddepression of said starting portion.

6. The carton according to claim 5 wherein said interior and exteriorwall defining panels are adhesively joined and said portion of saidinterior wall defining panel adjacent said gripping portion isadhesive-free to allow movement of said gripping portion away therefrom.

7. A carton blank for use in forming a carton having a pivotal pourspout and including first and second panel portions adapted to bealigned in overlapping relation, a first pour spout forming panelpivotally connected with said first panel portion including adepressible starting portion and a gripping portion, a second pour spoutforming panel pivotally connected with said second panel portion andpositioned for alignement with said first pour spout forming panel,blocking means adjacent said second pour spout forming panel andpositioned for alignement with at least a portion of said grippingportion for blocking inward movement of said gripping portion to effectoutward extension of said gripping portion in opening of the completedcarton.

8. The blank according to claim 7 wherein said second pour spout formingpanel includes a central portion and spout sidewall forming means onopposite sides thereof for pivotal movement with respect to said centralportion to define spout sides extending out of the plane of said centralportion.

9. The blank according claim 8 wherein said'second panel portionincludes means positioned for alignment with said sidewall forming meansfor engagement therewith to effect pivoting thereof with respect to saidcentral portion.

10. The blank according to claim 7 wherein said second pour spoutforming panel includes means defined by a out line in said second panelportion and aligned with said first pour spout forming panel for joinderthereto for frictionally engaging said second panel portion along edgesformed by said out line to maintain said first and second'pour spoutforming panels in closed position upon reclosing'of the completedcarton.

11. A carton blank for use in forming a carton having a pivotal pourspout and including first and second panel portions adapted to bealigned in overlapping relation, a first pour spout forming paneldefined in said first panel portion by a first cut line terminating ateach end thereof proximate a first fold line pivotally connecting saidfirst panel portion and said first pour spout forming panel, said firstpour spout forming panel including a depressible starting portionadjacent said first fold line and an outwardly extensible grippingportion spaced from said first fold line, a second pour spout formingpanel defined in said second panel portion by a second cut lineterminating at each end thereof adjacent a second fold line pivotallyconnecting said second panel portion and said second pour spout formingpanel, said second pour spout forming panel being positioned foralignement with said first pour spout forming panel for outward pivotalmovement therewith, at least one portion of said second panel portionad- I jacent said second cut line being positioned for alignement withsaid gripping portion providing blocking means for preventing inwardmovement of said gripping portion and for providing outward extensionthereof upon depression of said depressible starting portion toward theinterior of the completed carton.

12. The carton as defined in claim ll wherein said blocking means isdefined by an edge of said dispensing opening means disposed in generalalignment with a junction between said depressible starting means andsaid extensible gripping means.

13. The carton as defined in claim 112 wherein said extensible grippingmeans is disposed above said depressible starting means and said edge isdisposed in a generally horizontal posinon. I

1. A carton having overlapping exterior and interior joined walldefining panels, an exterior pour spout forming panel pivotallyconnected with said exterior wall defining panel, said exterior pourspout forming panel including inwardly depressible starting means forinitiating opening of the carton and outwardly extensible gripping meansfor gripping in opening of the carton, and said interior wall definingpanel including dispensing opening means aligned with said pour spoutforming panel and blocking means adjacent said opening means forblocking inward movement of said extensible gripping means and providingoutward movement of said gripping means upon depression of said startingmeans.
 2. The carton according to claim 1 further including an interiorspout forming panel pivotally connected to said interior wall definingpanel at least partially affixed to said exterior spout forming paneland including means for forming spout sidewalls upon outward pivotalmovement of said interior and exterior spout forming panels.
 3. Thecarton according to claim 2 wherein said means for forming sidewallsincludes first and second side portions of said interior spout formingpanel pivotally connected to a central portiOn thereof, said exteriorwall defining panel including means aligned and engageable with saidfirst and second side portions for providing pivotal movement thereofwith respect to said central portion.
 4. The carton according to claim 1further including an interior panel portion affixed to said exteriorspout forming panel and defining means engageable with said interiorwall defining panel for maintaining said exterior spout forming panelclosely proximate said interior wall defining panel upon reclosing ofsaid carton.
 5. A carton having overlapping exterior and interior joinedwall defining panels, an exterior pour spout forming panel defined insaid exterior wall defining panel by a first cut line terminating ateach end thereof proximate a first fold line, said exterior pour spoutdeforming panel including a depressible starting portion adjacent saidfirst fold line and an outwardly extensible gripping portion spaced fromsaid first fold line, an interior pour spout forming panel defined insaid interior wall defining panel by a second cut line terminating ateach end thereof adjacent a second fold line, said interior spoutforming panel being in alignment with said exterior spout forming panelfor outward pivotal movement therewith, at least one portion of saidsecond cut line being removed from said first cut line toward the centerof said gripping portion and defining a portion of said interior walldefining panel adjacent said gripping portion for engagement with saidgripping portion to provide blocking of inward movement of said grippingportion and to provide outward extension of said gripping portion uponinward depression of said starting portion.
 6. The carton according toclaim 5 wherein said interior and exterior wall defining panels areadhesively joined and said portion of said interior wall defining paneladjacent said gripping portion is adhesive-free to allow movement ofsaid gripping portion away therefrom.
 7. A carton blank for use informing a carton having a pivotal pour spout and including first andsecond panel portions adapted to be aligned in overlapping relation, afirst pour spout forming panel pivotally connected with said first panelportion including a depressible starting portion and a gripping portion,a second pour spout forming panel pivotally connected with said secondpanel portion and positioned for alignement with said first pour spoutforming panel, blocking means adjacent said second pour spout formingpanel and positioned for alignement with at least a portion of saidgripping portion for blocking inward movement of said gripping portionto effect outward extension of said gripping portion in opening of thecompleted carton.
 8. The blank according to claim 7 wherein said secondpour spout forming panel includes a central portion and spout sidewallforming means on opposite sides thereof for pivotal movement withrespect to said central portion to define spout sides extending out ofthe plane of said central portion.
 9. The blank according claim 8wherein said second panel portion includes means positioned foralignment with said sidewall forming means for engagement therewith toeffect pivoting thereof with respect to said central portion.
 10. Theblank according to claim 7 wherein said second pour spout forming panelincludes means defined by a cut line in said second panel portion andaligned with said first pour spout forming panel for joinder thereto forfrictionally engaging said second panel portion along edges formed bysaid cut line to maintain said first and second pour spout formingpanels in closed position upon reclosing of the completed carton.
 11. Acarton blank for use in forming a carton having a pivotal pour spout andincluding first and second panel portions adapted to be aligned inoverlapping relation, a first pour spout forming panel defined in saidfirst panel portion by a first cut line terminating at each end thereofproximate a first fold line pivotally connecting said firSt panelportion and said first pour spout forming panel, said first pour spoutforming panel including a depressible starting portion adjacent saidfirst fold line and an outwardly extensible gripping portion spaced fromsaid first fold line, a second pour spout forming panel defined in saidsecond panel portion by a second cut line terminating at each endthereof adjacent a second fold line pivotally connecting said secondpanel portion and said second pour spout forming panel, said second pourspout forming panel being positioned for alignement with said first pourspout forming panel for outward pivotal movement therewith, at least oneportion of said second panel portion adjacent said second cut line beingpositioned for alignement with said gripping portion providing blockingmeans for preventing inward movement of said gripping portion and forproviding outward extension thereof upon depression of said depressiblestarting portion toward the interior of the completed carton.
 12. Thecarton as defined in claim 1 wherein said blocking means is defined byan edge of said dispensing opening means disposed in general alignmentwith a junction between said depressible starting means and saidextensible gripping means.
 13. The carton as defined in claim 12 whereinsaid extensible gripping means is disposed above said depressiblestarting means and said edge is disposed in a generally horizontalposition.